WORDS CHARLIE THE BIKEMONGER

Every issue we highlight some of those niggly aspects of being a mountain biker. Our resident judge considers the evidence for and against each case. Often, a part of mountain biking that we’ve never noticed infuriating us is brought into focus, judged, and then cast into Room 101 along with top tube frame pads, purple anodising and mountain bike aero bars. And other times, the plaintiff is simply told to get a life and stop whining…

Our guest Judge this issue is once again the saviour of steel, singlespeeds and anything quirky. He is Charlie the Bikemonger. Bike shop owner, bum-butter purveyor and larger than life character.

The Uncivilised Few

John Lloyd

There is a famous quote from one P. Martin Scott that goes: “Bicycles are the indicator species of a community, like shellfish in a bay.” The analogy being that a community complete with many cyclists is happier and healthier than one without. This is backed up by almost all research on the subject. Widespread cycling makes the population healthier, the roads safer, reduces pollution, increases mobility, and lowers the cost of transportation infrastructure.